Wool Market celebrates fiber arts and animals

Estes Park festival takes place Saturday and Sunday

By Lynette Chilcoat For the Reporter-Herald

Posted:
06/07/2013 09:24:36 PM MDT

Wool can be cool.

Simply ask the approximately 10,000 people who participate in or attend the Estes Park Wool Market every year. They have been coming from all over the American west to revel in this fiber arts festival for the past 22 years.

Now in its 23rd year Saturday and Sunday, the weekend event highlights all things wonderfully wooly -- including competitions, demonstrations and products galore.

"This is the largest event of its kind in the west. People come from all over," said Brooke Burnham, director of public relations & social media for Estes Park. "It is a good event for people of all ages, with lots of activities and performances. Plus, it is free."

There will be a variety of competitions, from sheepdogs showing their stuff to "livestock competitions with a show quality," said Burnham. "Anything with wool will be there -- Angora rabbits, llamas, alpacas, Cashmere and Angora goats, and of course, sheep.

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In addition, many of the animals are available for visitors to meet them. They are all such docile, gentle animals, it's kind of like an ultimate giant petting zoo."

"It's a lot of fun to watch how the products are made, from raw materials to finished wares. There will be hands-on weaving workshops for kids as well as opportunities for adults to learn the processes. This is a nice way for people to immerse themselves in the world of wool production," said Burnham.

Attendees can even learn how to pack a llama for hiking and hunting. At the Children's Tent, which truly entertains the young and old alike, rope weaving, spinning and loom weaving will be some of the activities to watch or learn first-hand.

The sheepdog competitions are always a hit, with announcers providing play-by-play explanations of the many herding techniques. The interplay between sheep herding canines and their handlers is nothing less than spectacular.

For the shoppers, over 50 vendor booths filled with fleeces, raw fibers and novelty knit items will be scattered across the fairgrounds.

"This event is a knitter's paradise," said Burnham. "There will be raw and died wool available. Different exhibits showcase who has the finest wool products. There will be shawls, mittens, scarves, coats, hats and blankets -- all handmade and really quite exquisite products. This is a great place to go if you are a crafter, or even if you're a total novice. It's a good event for families or a girlfriend's getaway weekend.

"Honestly, everything about this event is unique," added Burnham. "Being part of an agricultural connection is such a cool experience. It is an interactive sensory experience that can be both therapeutic and fun."